STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
EAP/J, EAP/P, PM;
USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI;
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA;
CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE;
PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

1. LEAD STORIES: Top stories on Friday morning included
a GOJ plan to propose to the Diet the elevation of a
Bank of Japan (BOJ) deputy governor to the top BOJ
post.

2. "China Building up Military Power" The conservative
Sankei's editorial said (3/7): "The Department of
Defense said in its recent report on China's military
capabilities: 'China's improving and expanding military
capabilities are changing the balance of military power
in East Asia. Improvements in China's strategic
capabilities have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific
region.' A report on military spending released by
China on Wednesday appears to substantiate U.S.
concerns.... Although Chinese Premier Wen has said that
China is increasing its military capabilities only to
respond to threats. However, concern about China's
rapid military modernization has not been dispelled.
China lacks transparency, as it failed to report its
major defense procurement plans in its defense
whitepaper issued two years ago. We cannot help but
conclude that Beijing's failure to disclose sufficient
information is intentional. The U.S. report warns that
China is building its military power with a view to a
possible contingency in the Taiwan Strait, as well as
disputes over territory and resources. The U.S. appears
to be concerned that China will come to pose a threat
to peace and security in the region and around the
world. China needs to be accountable for its military
buildup."

With a bit of luck the planet won’t be devastated by nuclear war in the next few days. US President Donald Trump will have begun to fixate on some other way to gratify his self-esteem – maybe by invading Venezuela or starting a war with Iran. More>>

ACLU: Step by step, point by point, the court laid out what has been clear from the start: The president promised to ban Muslims from the United States, and his executive orders are an attempt to do just that. More>>